Olivia and Oliver top baby names for 2015

6 January 2016

With a very similar ring to them, Olivia and Oliver have topped the list of most popular names for new-born girls and boys in 2015.

Olivia, Charlotte and Sophie have all been popular names in recent years, with Olivia last claiming the top spot in 2012. Oliver claims the top boys’ name for the third year in a row, after running second to Jack in 2012. The full list of top baby names for 2015 is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website.

2015 Top Girls’ Names (2014 place in brackets):

1. Olivia (2)
2. Charlotte (1)
3. Harper (8)
4. Sophie (5)
5. Emily (4)
6. Ella (7)
7. Isla (3)
8. Mia (14)
9. Amelia (6)
10. Isabella (11)

2015 Top Boys’ Names (2014 place in brackets):

1. Oliver (1)
2. Jack (2)
3. William (6)
4. James (3)
5. Benjamin (9)
6. Mason (4)
7. Hunter (12)
8. Charlie (15)
9. Liam (5)
10. Jacob (10)

With over 62,500 births recorded in 2015, more than 13,900 unique first names were registered for children born last year. The top 100 names makes up only a small proportion of all names given to babies, with the wide range used often reflecting the importance of family heritage, personal choice or the influence of popular culture, says Jeff Montgomery, Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

“Birth Registration is free, and registering your baby as soon as possible is an important step for all parents. Registration confirms whether your child is a New Zealand Citizen, and gives your child a legal identity and the rights, responsibilities and access to support services associated with being a kiwi.”

“To make it easier for parents to register their new-born child, the Department of Internal Affairs has introduced a new online Birth Registration tool earlier this year. By placing the registration process online, parents can choose to register the birth of their child at a time, or place that suits them. More than 80 per cent of all recent birth registrations were completed using the new online tool, with 74 parents taking time on Christmas Day to register their babies online.”

Both parents must jointly register the birth of their children, with registration allowing a birth certificate to be issued. Birth certificates can be purchased at the same time as the birth is registered using RealMe, as well as being available for order by phone (0800 22 52 52 in New Zealand) or by visiting a Department of Internal Affairs office in Auckland, Manukau, Wellington or Christchurch. Birth certificates cost $26.50 for one certificate, or $39.80 for a decorative package of two certificates (relating to the same person).

For more information, or to register your new-born child online, please visit: http://www.dia.govt.nz/Services-Births-Deaths-and-Marriages-Birth-Registration